Hardware Validation Engineer

eTeam; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm based in Palo Alto seeks a Hardware Validation Engineer to support HW/SW design teams. Responsibilities include developing test plans, conducting silicon-level validation, and managing risk assessments. The ideal candidate will hold a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or a related field and have over 6 years of experience in automotive electronics. Proficiency in automotive communication protocols and testing tools like JIRA and LabView is preferred. This role is 100% onsite with standard working hours of Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in automotive or consumer electronics.
• Proficient in testing lab requirements ISO/IEC 17025.
• Hands-on experience with bench-level testing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary validation partner for HW/SW design teams.
• Develop comprehensive test plans and environmental strategies.
• Lead root cause investigations for test failures.

Skills

Silicon-level validation

ECU component testing

Automotive communication protocols (CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, Flexray)

Data analytics

Collaborative communication

Education

BS/MS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering

Tools

JIRA

JAMA

LabView

Test Stand

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Validation Engineer
Duration: 12 plus Months
Location: Palo Alto,CA - 100% onsite
Work Hours: Monday to Friday, 8-5 or 9-6

Core Responsibilities

• Cross-Functional Service Delivery: Serve as the primary validation partner for HW/SW design teams, providing centralized testing services that span the entire product lifecycle.
• Test Strategy & Design: Develop comprehensive test plans, cases, and environmental strategies (DVP&R) that integrate Silicon Validation data into ECU-level functional testing.
• Infrastructure Development: Collaborate with design teams to architect and build specialized test scripts and hardware fixtures (HIL/Bench) to support diverse validation activities.
• Risk & Lifecycle Management: Participate in DFMEA, PFMEA, and Bill of Design (BoD) assessments to identify and mitigate risks to project timing and customer quality.

Technical Execution & ECU Validation

• High-Fidelity Testing: Plan and execute Durability, Electrical, and Functional validation for component-level ECUs.
• Silicon Characterization: Validate Silicon-level performance (SoCs, Microcontrollers) within the ECU environment, focusing on power integrity, thermal boundaries, and signal analysis.
• Failure Analysis: Lead deep-dive root cause investigations for test failures, utilizing data reproduction and fault simulation to solve complex hardware/firmware bugs.
• Data Analytics: Provide advanced data analytics from conducted tests to drive design improvements and ensure compliance with Component Technical Specifications (CTS).

Operational Excellence

• Standardization: Maintain and enhance technical templates, "ADV Toolboxes," and Drawing Templates to ensure a unified validation approach across the engineering org.
• Traceability: Establish and manage end-to-end traceability between requirements and test results using JAMA, JIRA, and version control systems.
• Continuous Improvement: Manage "Lessons Learned" repositories to refine the Bill of Materials (BoM) and improve product performance and safety based on real-world test data.

Qualifications

• Education: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience: 6+ years of experience in automotive or consumer electronics, with a strong focus on the design and development of electronics.
• Domain Expertise: Strong background in Silicon-level validation and ECU component testing; Proficient in automotive communication protocols: CAN, CAN-FD, LIN, and Flexray. Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for testing labs.
• Lab Skills: Hands-on experience with bench-level testing [oscilloscopes, power supply, digital multimeter] & thermal chambers.
• Software & Tooling: Proficiency in JIRA and JAMA for requirement management.
• LabView, Test Stand, and CAPL programming skills (highly preferred).
• Ability to interpret complex electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
• Soft Skills: A collaborative communicator capable of working cross-functionally in a fast-paced "Engineering Ops" service model.

Technical Skills

Must Have

• Plan and execute Durability, Electrical, and Functional validation for component-level ECUs.
• Validate Silicon-level performance (SoCs, Microcontrollers) within the ECU environment, focusing on power integrity, thermal boundaries, and signal analysis.

Nice to Have

• LabView, Test Stand, and CAPL